23.07.2007

Health and causes of death of the white storks: Aspergillosis in focal point

Since the beginning of the 2007 stork year a systematic wide ranging scientific study into the causes of death among white storks is being conducted at the Institute for Animal Pathology and the Institute for Fowl Ailments of the Free University of Berlin. Because aspergillosis (a mould fungus infection)has played an obviously ever-increasing role during the past years, special attention is given to young birds with this affliction. Stork parents and stork caregivers of several Federal States were invited to participate in the investigation and to report any deceased animals. Happily this received a wide response and interest.

As of this time (July 2007) more than 50 perished, mostly juvenile, storks, have been examined. Yet it is assumed, that the increased risk of mortality to fledglings will also increase the number of deceased birds by the end of this stork year. The birds which have been examined up to this time have come mainly from the State of Brandenburg, some, however, from other Federal States also. Among other agents, aspergillosis was proven in seven cases of young storks. From all examined animals a wide range of organ specimen were collected for follow-up examinations at a later date. To present connections of the occurrence of ailment agents, particularly the aspergillosis fungi, nest material samples were taken and secured from a representative number of eyries as well as of future nest material depositories (such as compost heaps) from surrounding areas. The long-term goal of the study is to clarify the meaning of aspergillosis, its sources of infection, and its epidemiological meaning in the stork population. At the same time all other ailments and causes of death will be collected and evaluated which is an important basis for the future long-term observation of the health of the white storks.

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